Occupational therapy is a field that helps people of all ages live life to its fullest by promoting health and wellbeing through everyday activities.
Here at Therapy Pro, this commitment is central. Our team of highly-skilled clinicians provide services across the lifespan for individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, and other complex needs.
We operate with a fully mobile team across Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville, and several other regional locations, meaning our therapists support clients in their homes, communities, and schools.
Celebrating OT Week 2024
This year, OT Week is particularly special as it celebrates 80 years since the formation of the first Occupational Therapists Club in Australia.
The theme, Celebrating 80 Years of Connection, honours the rich history of the profession, and emphasises the importance of relationships and community in supporting clients’ health and wellbeing.
This week we celebrate and acknowledge the impact that OTs have had in helping clients build meaningful connections with their communities, achieve their goals, and enhance their quality of life.
At Therapy Pro, our OTs focus on helping individuals do more of the things they love to do – connect with their passions, daily routines, and support networks.
A Conversation with Allan Spinks, Mental Health Occupational Therapist at Therapy Pro
To explore what it means to work holistically as a mental health occupational therapist, we sat down with Allan Spinks.
Allan has been with Therapy Pro for nearly six years, working closely with clients who have a range of physical and psychological needs.
His journey into the mental health space began early in his career when he was working with the Defence Force, supporting individuals with significant psychological and physical injuries.
Allan shared that his approach is rooted in viewing health and wellbeing as interconnected, noting:
“It’s easy to unintentionally separate physical health and mental health, but they’re actually both the exact same thing and both influence each other. A physical injury might be the presenting problem, but if there are mental health challenges as well, the approach to recovery is intertwined.”
What Does a Holistic Approach Look Like?
A holistic approach is where therapists look beyond the obvious symptoms to understand what’s truly affecting a client’s capacity to engage in everyday life.
For one client struggling with severe depression, Allan started by exploring what made life meaningful to him, rather than focusing solely on physical symptoms. They set small, attainable goals like cooking a simple meal or taking a short walk, giving the client a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
“There’s an immediate reward to cooking,” Allan explained. “Unlike other goals that take time to see results, cooking provides instant gratification. It’s a win that can build momentum and support both physical and mental wellbeing.”
For another client who had been too anxious to leave his home for over a year, Allan took a step-by-step approach, starting with standing at the front door and gradually working up to short walks. He emphasised, “If there’s a 70% chance you think you can do it, choose that goal. If it feels too hard, pick something smaller. The aim is to build confidence, not set someone up to fail.”
The Psychosocial Approach: Going Beyond Talk Therapy
A central concept in Allan’s practice as a mental health occupational therapist is the psychosocial approach, which acknowledges the interaction between psychological health, social connections, and daily functioning.
Allan described it as helping clients see that emotions like anxiety or depression are not just random—they have a purpose.
“Depression is like a power-saving mode,” Allan said. “It’s our brain’s way of shutting down to conserve energy when conditions aren’t ideal. Anxiety, meanwhile, is our built-in threat detection system. But today, these emotions can keep people from connecting with others or engaging in meaningful activities.”
Working with a Multidisciplinary Team
Therapy Pro’s strength lies in our collaborative approach.
Our clinicians work closely across multiple disciplines which is a core part of what we do. It’s part of our dedication to working across multidisciplinary teams.
Allan emphasised how his role complements the work of other clinicians.
“People sometimes think I’m doing the same work as a psychologist,” Allan shared, “but our focus is different. I concentrate on how these emotions impact daily function and build strategies to promote recovery and participation.”
Small Wins Lead to Big Changes
The holistic and psychosocial approach Therapy Pro embody is about addressing the surface-level issues and understanding the person as a whole.
It’s about recognising that even small achievements, like cooking a meal or taking a short walk, can be monumental towards rebuilding sense of identity.
Allan’s client, who struggled to leave his house, gradually built up his confidence and reconnected with the world around him, taking on new roles and responsibilities that once seemed out of reach.
It’s these small wins that lead to big changes!
Celebrating OTs Everywhere
This OT Week, we’re proud to celebrate the exceptional work of our Therapy Pro occupational therapy team, who support clients in every aspect of their health and wellbeing.
This holistic, person-centred approach is key to making a lasting impact in the lives of the people we support.
We’re committed to continuing to provide the highest quality of care and helping clients achieve their goals, no matter how big or small.
If you, or a loved one, or client, require support from a mental health occupational therapist, like Allan, please reach out. Our team is here to help.
